Sunday Snapshot {Happy Birthday My Jay!}

My post this week is about my favorite guy in the whole world!  I love him so very much, and feel so blessed that God picked him for me. 

Don't think I have ever shared the story of how we started dating, so here goes.  We were in college and both in the top choir.  I was a music major, but Jay was not, he just loved singing.  He was also 2 years behind me in school.  I had "noticed" him when he was a Freshman the year before but the spring of his sophomore year, my senior year we started to hang out.  Our friendship grew and we just had lots of fun together.  Now, I had already realized that he was "the one," but Jay was not just there yet.  I made sure to put myself in situations where we could get to know each other more.  We both attended meetings/dinners at the Wesley Foundation on campus and both decided to go on a mission trip to New York.  If was after that trip, we both finally knew something special was happening.  We started dating, shared a kiss and just days later I lost my dad to a fatal heart attack.  I know WOW, but I know that God brought Jay into my life at just the right time.  He was so good to me during that time, he held me, cried with me, tried to make me smile, went through the funeral with me, everything.  And that was pretty much it, we were never far apart after that.  God had taken one special person out of my life, but he had brought my sweet husband to me at the same time.  About a year and half later we were engaged, and then married. 

Now, let me brag on my sweet guy for just a minute.  He is the BEST DADDY in the whole world. 

He always shares the load with me, cleans up after dinner, and bathes the girls.  He is one of Ethan's soccer coaches, always practices with him, and entertains him on the Wii. 

He loves to play with My Little Pony's and always, always showers me with affection. 

And not only does he give us love, but he also looks out for 700+ kids and staff at his job (he is an assistant pricipal at an elementary school.)  And if that were not enough, he leads worship at our church.  He picks the praise music, practices once and week, and even prepares all the computer stuff for each Sunday.  He is a blessing to so many people and the kids and I are so grateful that he is OURS. 

Have a great birthday sweetie!!

Hop on over to Ni Hao Ya'll and check out some more fabulous Sunday Snapshot posts.

I Heart Faces: Yellow

This is my entry for the I Heart Faces Challenge.  Love the pretty YELLOW daffodils and I used a Lightroom Preset that adds a little more YELLOW to the photo itself.

Sunday Snapshot {Fun Fridays}

Life can be so overwhelming and stressful at times.  I know you have all been there too.  A couple months ago after one of those weeks, I felt like I just needed to get away.  A couple of years ago we would have packed up Ethan (the only one we had at the time.)  And headed off on an overnight adventure somewhere.  But now we have 3, and the funds are not as overflowing either, so instead we headed off to a picnic dinner and the park.  I posted about it here in another {Sunday Snapshot}. 

Then about a month ago, Jay so that Watoto was coming to a town about 2 hours away.  Now, I am a music teacher (children's choir is my passion) and I'm an adoptive momma so this was right up my alley. 

And I knew the kids would love it too.  So we packed up the car and headed out.  We were not disappointed, it was a beautiful concert, filled with beautiful children who have an amazing story to share with the world.  Check them out here, and if they are coming to your area please go and support this incredible ministry.

Now to this week, again it was overwhelming.  And it is not my kids or husband, it is another situation that seems to be never ending.  I know it will resolve eventually, but it is sucking my joy out sometimes.  So it was time again to just "get away."  This Friday we headed down to the beach (we only live about 30-40 minutes away.) 

We took hot dogs to grill out, and toys for the sand.  The beach we go to is so nice, with a bathroom, playground, shelters with grills and easy access to the sand and beautiful water.  It was gorgeous, the kids played at the little park, while daddy cooked up the dogs.  Then we headed down to the sand. 

Charlotte and Ainsley enjoyed the sand and our crazy son went swimming in the 60 degree water! 

It was a fun evening.  Walking back to the car, Ethan said we should call these trips {Fun Fridays}.  So far our trips have all happened on fridays, so seems appropriate to me.  And we are going to keep it up, at least once a month is the goal. 

Go on a little trip as a family, and for not much $$$.  Can't wait for our next Fun Friday!

Just sayin'....

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Sunday Snapshot {Our Soccer Star}

Ethan is a really great athlete.  He loves all kinds of games, and is very motivated to practice them until he is good at it.  He started playing soccer when he was just 3 years old and was so cute to watch back then. 

Ethan at 5.

He was so cute.....

We then took a little detour playing baseball for a while, but are back in soccer world and he, and we, are loving it.  We spent this weekend on the field for our first spring tournament.  We did not make it to the Championship game, but our guys played so hard.  We ended up with 3 ties, so undefeated :)  Ethan usually switches out between goal keeper and right forward. 

We are so proud of his hard work out there on the field.  And especially proud of the great teammate he is.  Always encouraging to his fellow teammates, and doing whatever it takes to help his team win.  He has many battle wounds from this weekend, but he is tough and stayed in the game no matter what. 

Ethan, we are so very proud of you, bud!! 

You had an awesome tournament, and we can't wait for the next one!

{Smiles} I Heart Faces!!

Sunday Snapshot {Our Miracle #3}

All children are a miracle and a gift from God, but we feel so blessed to have Ainsley in our lives.  I know many of my regular readers know "our story."  But I love to share it because, it is such a story of God's faithfulness and perfect plan!  We really have very little trouble getting pregnant the first time-we decided to start trying and about 6 months later Ethan was on the way.  When Ethan was about 18 months old, we started trying for #2 and that is where our story really becomes God's story of faithfulness.  After almost a year, we were finally pregnant again, but we lost that baby soon after and I was devastated.  We pressed onward, doing everything WE could to make another baby, but nothing.  So WE decided to turn to doctor's for help, 2 years of treatment later WE had done it!!  We made a baby not the old fashioned way, but with the help of some incredible science and doctors. 

Disclaimer:  Please don't take this wrong, I truly believe that God has blessed some with the knowledge and expertise to help others grow their families, in this way.  And it is a MIRACLE, for sure!!  It just was not the WAY for us.  And, we did not realize it at the time.

Anyway back to the story, we were successful at IVF with the one and only embryo we had, but again we lost the baby.  This is where I really entered into a dark spot in my life.  I was so angry with God.  So angry that WE had done everything WE could to make a baby and He had taken it all away-AGAIN!!  It was a long 3-4 months after that.  But then it all changed-instead of US doing it, instead of doing all WE could, WE took a leap of faith and decided maybe OUR way was not the only way.  We turned it all over to God and that's when the miracles started happening!!!  We signed on with America World in May of 2006 and began our paper chase.  After 6 short months we were logged into China's system, and a just 7 months lately we were looking at the face of our daughter (miracle #2.)  Then 4 months after that we were holding her for the first time.  I am so incredibly grateful that God took us on that journey, the journey to our sweet Charlotte.  It has changed us and our family so much!!  Now here is a little seed most do not know, about 3 weeks before we left for China, I once again had a miscarriage.  I thought really are you serious?!?  Why?!?  In some ways I think it was God showing me that yes, HE was still in control, and yes I could still get pregnant.  So off we went and the next year was filled with everything Charlotte.  And then 14 months later, I could hardly believe it but God was giving us our Miracle #3.  I was pregnant!!!!  It was very hard to be excited at first, I really kept waiting for it to all be taken away.  But God was faithful and gave us so much more than we could have ever thought or imagined.  If it had not all worked out this way, we probably would not have Charlotte in our family.  This was HIS design all along, and there was nothing WE could do to stand in His way.  Our family is such a picture of his PERFECTION!  WE are so blessed and can't wait to see what else God has in store for our growing family. 

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, "to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21

Sunday Snapshot: {Family Time}

I know it is Tuesday; this post is a couple of days late.....

To say that I have had a stressful last couple months would be an understatement, and I can't really go into detail about it yet.  Prayers are appreciated, but it is all putting such a strain on life.  Sometimes you just have that feeling that you want to move far, far away (with my hubby and kids of course, they are not the cause of the stress; they are my real true delight.)  So on Friday, after having such a hard day we packed up the kids and headed to a local park for a picnic dinner, time on the playground and a walk around the lake.  It was so nice to just concentrate on being a family, and enjoying the outdoors.  It was a welcome change and I felt so much more rejuvenated.  We did stop at Sam's Club on the way home, so still a little work, but it was a wonderful evening.

Ethan spent his time, practicing his soccer tricks and juggling.  And it paid off, he won the juggle off at practice on Monday-go Ethan!!!

Daddy and Charlotte had fun on the slide.  Charlotte just thought that Daddy was so silly for sliding down himself. 

Then we went for a walk and Mommy made Ethan and Charlotte pose for a photo op.  Charlotte was happy to and Ethan was not so into it, but that's okay this time.

And Ainsley, she was her usual cute, happy self!!

I have a beautiful family, and am so blessed!!  I may have some exciting news soon so stay tuned :)

Having Fun with Lightroom

So this moring, I decided to download the trial version of Adobe Lightroom.  I knew once I played with it I would WANT it, so I had been putting it off.  But after seeing some shots on another blog, I could not resist any longer.  I LOVE IT!!!  (hint, hint, honey-mother's day is around the corner!)  Anyway look and see what you think.

Before:

And after using the Lightroom Presets.......

This last one is my favorite.  Isn't it just beautiful.  And I took it in our flower bed-love it!!  Of course she is a great model...

It's Springtime...

It is spring, and I got such great Easter Shots I decided it was time to spruce up my blog a bit.  Let me know what you think-leave me a comment if you would.  And check back soon as I am close to starting back up in the blog design biz and will be having a giveaway to kick off my grand re-opening!!

Happy Spring!

Sunday Snapshot: Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everyone!!  We had a wonderful day with family and a wonderful worship this morning.  I love Easter!!  Hope you all had a great day too.